Newcastle United are reportedly prepared to splash out £53m to make Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale the marquee signing of their new regime.

The Magpies are awaiting approval for a £300m Saudi-led takeover to go through that will make them one of the richest clubs in the world.

Newcastle's new owners want to bring in Bale to mark their own arrival and, according to FourFourTwo, the Premier League side are willing to spend big.

Madrid are keen to offload disgruntled attacker Bale, who has struggled for appearances since a move to Jiangsu Suning fell through last summer.

However, it has previously been reported that the Wales international is not interested in a return to English football and will instead see out the remainder of his Madrid contract.

Bale has contributed just two goals and two assists from 17 outings in La Liga and the Champions League this season.